Book Review: “Behind Her Eyes” by Sarah Pinborough
Reviewer: Saadatu Abdullahi Mohammed
Pinch myself and say I AM AWAKE…!
Pinborough’s Behind Her Eyes is a beautiful work of art; a psychological thriller with an unexpected bombshell end that leaves you speechless, the kind of end I had anticipated (at the same time didn’t) but got in due.
The story explores the dangers of obsessive love, lies, deceit, betrayal and mistrust. It further centers on the endless turmoil between four main characters Adele, Rob, David and Louise who for some reason fit into a mind game jigsaw puzzle.
It narrates the ordeal of a marriage in shambles, of a wife (Adele)who suffers from night terrors from childhood trying her utmost best to save her marriage by any means necessary with a cheating husband who is also a psychiatrist (David).
David tries to opt out of this miserable union but is tied to their mysterious past and so decides to stay unwillingly. They keep running away from this past until it finally catches up with them in the form of a single mother, Louise — a receptionist at David’s new job and his eventual love interest.
Adele methodically decides to befriend her husband’s lover in other to tear them apart; Louise who is caught up in the middle becomes the bait of discovering the true nature of Adele and David’s relationship both past and present at a very high cost.
I would say the first few chapters were excessively stretched with typical clingy submissive wife, making me almost lose interest before the climax builds, it becomes a mind blowing experience of unraveling past mysteries.
The author’s brilliant narration of past and present towards the explosive ending, makes it worth the wait without giving away so much that may have spoiled the reader’s suspense, because it’s completely unpredictable. This is what particularly stood out for me.
If psychological thrillers are your forte well then, Behind Her Eyes is definitely worth the read , it makes the impossible look almost possible, the surreal, real and who doesn’t want to read something bat shit crazy once in a while.
_______________________________Saadatu Abdullahi Mohammed (@yasmeen006) a young lawyer from Kano state who is also an aspiring writer and editor was born on July 27th, 1993, she attended Royal Academy Primary school, proceeded to Kano Model School for her secondary education. She went further to attend Bayero University, Kano for her law degree and also the Nigerian law school which earned her a license to practice law.
She also has a diploma in information technology from Hands on Institute for Information Technology (HIIT). She is also a member of Nigerian Bar Association,
Kano Branch, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network U.S Department, Federacion International De Abogadas (FIDA) International Federation of Women Lawyers, Kano Branch.
Her Hobbies include Reading, critiquing and writing reviews for book also Acquiring New skills and Intellectual/book club Discussions. She finds book engaging and comforting always hence the name ‘bookworm’.
